RACIST and homophobic graffiti left metres from a war memorial has been described as an ‘insult’ to those who died fighting fascism.

A Nazi swastika and a homophobic message were left in Barrow Park not far from the Cenotaph that remembers hundreds of soldiers who died in combat.

A walker who came across the graffiti reacted with shock after the incident, which has been widely condemned and blasted as ‘disgusting’.

Among those who hit out at the symbol, scrawled on the park’s footpath, was Paul Jenkins, a Unite Against Fascism organiser in Cumbria.

He said: “This is absolutely disgusting.

“Anything pro-Nazi or racist has to be condemned.

“I know people in Barrow will be outraged by this graffiti and will totally condemn it.

“They have a proud history of protesting against this.

“We remember the people who died fighting against fascism - this is insulting to the people who died fighting a fascist regime.”

Mr Jenkins said education was important in reducing hate incidents.

It is thought the graffiti was left at the park on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Other crude messages and drawings were also seen nearby.

A woman who came across the graffiti on Thursday morning said: “I’m really upset about it.

“I said to the police I’m deeply saddened to see something of that nature in Barrow - especially so close to the Cenotaph.”

Parkside councillor Lee Roberts also condemned the graffiti and said the council was working on community cohesion.

“It’s absolutely disrespectful," he said.

“We want to show each other compassion.

“We know there have been incidents and anti-social behaviour in the park and we are hoping to have more police presence.”

Cllr Roberts said the council was ‘addressing cohesion issues’ in the town working with the Cumbria community safety partnership.

The graffiti appeared to have been cleaned away later on Thursday.

The incident was reported to Cumbria Police.

Councillors have recently raised concerns over disorder in the park.

A woman was reported to have been sexually assaulted there earlier this month.

And a teenager was taken to hospital with head injuries following an alleged assault.

It led to a 16-year-old boy being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Concern about disorder in the park were raised previously in a full council meeting.

Cllr Les Hall said it had been ‘tainted’ by certain youths and anti-social behaviour.